Ben
Stiller and Robert DeNiro square off in this new comedy from Jay Roach (Austin
Powers), a film that certainly has it's moments but isn't nearly as funny as I'd
hoped. Stiller is Greg Focker (yes you read the last name right), a nurse who
wishes for nothing more than to marry the woman of his dreams (played by Teri
Polo). But as the title suggests he must first endure a nightmare of a weekend
with her folks. Naturally, Stiller is out to make a good impression, and obviously
everything he does goes horribly wrong.
The
chemistry between DeNiro and Stiller is the key, because nearly every joke in
this film is painfully obvious and telegraphed ahead. For the most part, the leads
do manage to make Meet the Parents a watchable comedy that seems to be striving
for the same type of warm and fuzzy effect of a Chris Columbus film (Nine Months)
and those Father of the Bride remakes from a few years back.
Many
of the jokes are beaten to death, most notably the one dealing with Stiller's
last name in the film. I must admit, however, that every time DeNiro uttered the
word "Focker" I thought I would soil myself. Perhaps that's because
I was reminded of DeNiro's vocabulary in films like Raging Bull and Goodfellas.
Stiller
is sort of rehashing his role from There's Something About Mary. He plays the
foil with a neurotic, self-consciousness and sly, low-key wit. Even so, Meet the
Parents is a step down from his terrific performances in Mary, Your Friends and
Neighbors, and his scorching turn as a drug addict in Permanent Midnight. For
DeNiro, this is much better than Analyze This and The Adventures of Rocky and
Bullwinkle, but a far cry from his expert timing in We're No Angels and Midnight
Run.
Director
Roach always keeps Meet the Parents far too tame. This movie should have taken
more chances and could have definitely used more jokes. Roach did a much better
job with the underrated Mystery Alaska, a film that had stronger writing and a
much more brisk flow. Meet the Parents is on it's way to becoming a blockbuster,
but I think Roach should stick to slapstick comedy. He has a knack for this genre,
but unfortunately he plays it way too safe with Meet the Parents, and it isn't
nearly as strong.
